Overnight French Toast Casserole

We just made this delicious overnight French toast casserole recipe the other day for “brinner” (breakfast for dinner) and I almost forgot how good it was. The entire family loved this quick and easy breakfast recipe.

French toast is a staple to make for the holidays. Making the night make it so much to enjoy a warm breakfast with my family. It makes the perfect addition to your Easter Brunch.

What is Overnight French Toast?

The best French toast casserole is when it is made overnight. The bread is separated in small pieces and placed in a casserole dish. Then a milk mixture consisting of milk, egg, cinnamon and sugar is added to the bread.

This casserole is then placed in the refrigerator and the bread has time to soak up the mixture overnight. Then the casserole is then baked and the best French Toast casserole is made.

Ingredients

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

How to Make French Toast Casserole

• Step 1 – Heat Oven – First preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Step 2 – Prepare Pan – Spray bottom of pan with cooking spray or coat with melted butter.

Step 3 – Cut Bread – Cut the French bread into chunks and spread evenly in a 9×13 pan.

Step 4 – Mix Ingredients – Next, mix together eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon and salt, and vanilla.

Step 5 – Pour over bread – Pour egg mixture over bread cubes. Mix bread with egg mixture to coat. I find that it works best if I mix with my hands. This ensures that all the bread is coated.

Step 6 – Mix sugar and cinnamon – In a small separate bowl mix together 2 Tablespoons of sugar and the ground cinnamon.

Step 7 – Top on casserole – Sprinkle this mixture over the entire baking dish until it is gone.

Step 8 – Place in the Fridge – If wanting to eat now, cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerate overnight. We love it much better when it sits overnight, but you could cook it immediately.

• Step 9 – Bake Casserole – The next morning bake the casserole in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes to 45 minutes until golden brown. You can cover with aluminum foil if the bread starts to burn.

Recipe Tips

• Top with Butter – If you are afraid it may dry out, place a few tabs of butter on top when you bake it.
• Drizzle Maple Syrup – When serving I have drizzled with maple syrup right before serving, or I have sprinkled with with powdered sugar. Either way is fabulous.
• Add Brown Sugar – Mix in some brown sugar and cinnamon for a different flavor.
• Heavy Cream – You can also use some heavy cream in place of milk or do half and half.
• Whipped Cream – Serve with Whipped Cream on top.

Everyone will be well fed and your budget will be better as well. Give some of these tips a try!

What is the Best Bread for French Toast?

When choosing the best bread for your overnight French Toast, you want to choose bread that is sturdy. Thinly sliced or really soft bread doesn’t hold and can fall a part when baking.

These are my favorites bread options.

• French Bread
• Sourdough Bread
• Brioche Bread
• Challah Bread
• Pullman Loaf

What to Serve with French Toast Bake?

There are many food items that go great with this overnight French toast. Here are some of our favorites:

• How To Cook Bacon in the Oven
• Sausage
• Over Hard Eggs
• You might also like to add some fruit. We love this easy Tropical Fruit Salad. 

Add your Favorite Toppings

We love to add different toppings to this French toast bake.

• Our homemade pancake syrup on top and then sprinkle powdered sugar is a family favorite.
• Dried Cranberries
• Sliced Almonds
• Cinnamon and Sugar
• Butter
• Slice Apples
• Blueberries
• Pecans

The options are endless as to what to add.

Can you Freeze Overnight French Toast?

Yes, you can freeze Overnight French toast bake. Freezing this French toast bake is easy to do.

• Prepare the French Toast as indicated in the recipe.
• Make sure to cover with foil and freeze.
• When you are ready to bake, thaw overnight in fridge. Cook in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes or until golden brown.